British tennis star Jack Draper has etched his name in history by reaching the US Open quarterfinals, marking a significant milestone for British tennis. Draper’s victory over Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac on Monday secured his place in the last eight, making him the first British man to reach this stage of the tournament since Andy Murray in 2016.
The 22-year-old left-hander, seeded 25th, displayed a dominant performance, dispatching Machac in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. Draper’s impressive run in the tournament has been marked by consistency and resilience, having not dropped a single set throughout his four matches. His powerful serve, which he only dropped once, has been a key weapon, and he won an impressive 47 out of 48 service games. His ability to handle pressure is further highlighted by his impressive 20 out of 21 break points saved.
Draper acknowledged his previous year’s loss at the same stage of the tournament, stating, “I lost on Louis Armstrong Stadium in the same round last year, so it was nice to come back and do better this year.” He expressed deep admiration for Andy Murray, the former world number one and 2012 US Open champion, calling him “a legend and an icon.” Draper added, “If I have half the career that he had, I will be a happy man.”
Draper’s next opponent will be the winner of the all-Australian clash between Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson. Off the court, Draper is known for his keen interest in fashion, even participating in a Vogue photoshoot before Wimbledon this year. His unique style was further showcased during his match against Machac, with Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, present in his player’s box. Reflecting on his diverse interests, Draper stated, “Every player has his own style. It’s important to show your tennis style and style in general.”
